Psalm 28

NOTE: On May 30^th I am moving to North Carolina. I have already prepared meditations for the next several days and they are scheduled to be posted at 6:30 AM each morning. However, I may not be able to respond to your email inquiries for the next few days.

Jesus taught his disciples “All things are possible with God.” Sometimes our faith is tested because we do not see answers to our prayers. Can we still believe, even though we do not see? The writer of the letter to the Hebrews makes clear that faith is the unwavering determination to trust God, to believe God, even when we do not see the results we want. “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1),

Because God is the Lord of the impossible, bringing life out of death, bringing success out of apparent failure, we can look at seemingly impossible circumstances and choose the way of the psalmist: “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart” (v.7).

In the first portion of this psalm, David seems overwhelmed with the corruption of society. He steadfastly believes in the judgment of God and does not want to be caught up in God’s judgment of the wicked. As David prays to the Lord, his rock, he asked for mercy. Then in the midst of his lament his prayer for mercy turns into a prayer of praise, “Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy” (v.6). What caused his change?

I believe the Apostle Paul helps us understand this change. In Romans 8: 15-16 Paul writes, “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.”

When we come to God in faith, God participates in our prayers. God’s Spirit bears witness to our spirit and God’s Spirit thus helps us stand firm in our faith, even when our circumstances have not changed. With the Spirit’s help we trust God with our lives. Thank God for the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise. He did not leave us alone.

I will not abandon you as orphans—

I will come to you.

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—

that is, the Holy Spirit—

he will teach you everything

and will remind you of everything I have told you.

“I am leaving you with a gift—

peace of mind and heart.

And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14: 19, 26-27

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in Psalm 28 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for May 30, 2012  Psalm 29